By Frank Whitman
During the power outage that followed Typhoon Mawar in 2023, Joseph Nowell, a property manager, was tasked by his employer to find a power source that would meet the needs of the company’s three commercial buildings.
The company located and decided to use standard generators. However, in the course of its search, it learned about Bluetti energy storage systems, or ESS, and realized the ESS was particularly well-suited for local customers.
Convinced of the ESS’s suitability for the market, Nowell and his wife, Lisha Nowell, formed Chief Energy Partners and to date, the company has installed more than 20 Bluetti EP900 units on Guam.
The ESS functions as a rechargeable battery, Nowell said. “Think of it as a super-sized UPS.”
The Bluetti system is flexible. It can be charged by any of four different methods: by connecting the ESS to compatible solar panels; by plugging the ESS into a standard wall outlet; by connecting the ESS to a generator; by using a compatible EV charger to charge the ESS from an electric vehicle.
“We have a variety of customers,” Nowell said. The company’s customer mix includes residences, light commercial, daycare centers and a medical office.
“We also have one in Urunao that is off-grid,” he said. “That one was interesting because it had an existing system with an inverter and acid batteries. And so we replaced all the acid batteries, put two ESS in, and attached them to their existing solar system. So they're completely off-grid.”
The ESS “allows the flexibility of whether you want to use the grid to charge, or solar versus gas,” said Nowell, who uses an ESS at his home. “In the beginning, I used it just as a backup generator just in case the power goes out.”
Nowell explained how he has reduced his power bill and carbon footprint. During daylight hours when little power is being used, he charges his residential ESS using solar power, and then later in the day uses the solar-generated power from the ESS when the family is using kitchen appliances, lights, computers and television sets.
Depending on its configuration, the EP900 can produce 2,000 watt-hours; it can be expanded, using additional battery modules, to provide 9,800Wh.
An app operates the system remotely using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth from anywhere with the internet.
The cost of an ESS system depends on its size and the difficulty of installation.
“A basic install is within 10 feet of your main panel box,” he said. “As long as it's within 10 feet and we're not penetrating any structural beams or anything like that. It can range from $37,500 to $39,200 if you want additional solar panels. We have a promo right now where for extra solar panels it's two grand.”
Chief partners with REG Builders General Construction for the installation of the units.
The system is designed to last 20 years and has a 10-year warranty. “It comes with a 30 percent tax credit from the IRS,” Nowell said. “There is residential and there is a business tax credit.”
The transition from power outage to ESS power is 10 milliseconds, Nowell said. “That's just like a blink of an eye,” he said. “The internet doesn't go off, the aircon doesn't go off. The computer, when I'm working, I don't even know if the power went out and it's still working. Everything is uninterrupted.”
The EP900 measures about 3 feet by 3 feet and because it has no fumes it can be installed and operated safely indoors. Nowell keeps his unit in a pantry.
“There’s no noise, no maintenance,” he said. “My wife doesn't have to do anything for the system at all.”
The Nowells particularly appreciate the convenience of the system after their experience during Typhoon Mawar which hit Guam the day after their youngest child was born.
“Having to pull out the generator and running the line, putting fuel, it's running for eight hours so you have to change the oil,” he said. “So there's all these wear and tears. We finally have something on Guam that is available and it just takes it to a whole new level of backup power.”
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